Quick To Cook

To cook lentils, just rinse and pick over, then simmer on top of the range, or covered in the microwave on high, in water (twice the amount of water as lentils), or as the recipe directs. Drain, if needed, and they're ready. If you wish, add seasonings or flavorful ingredients to the cooking water, since lentils absorb flavors well. Do not add acid ingredients, such as tomatoes or lemon juice, until later, since they will slow cooking. Salt should be added at the end of the cooking time for the same reason.

Lentils DO NOT need to be pre-soaked before cooking. Just 20 minutes simmering, or less, makes them tender and ready to eat or use in recipes.

Red Chief Lentils, bright and coral-colored, have been decorticated (skinned) and cook in even less time-6 to 8 minutes maximum. These pretty lentils are especially nice for salads and side dishes.

Lentils Mexicanos

Yield: 24 (1-1/2- cups) serving

Ingredients

Chopped onions—2 lb.4oz. / 6 cups

Minced garlic—1/4 cup

Chicken broth—8 oz. / 1 cup

Cooked Red Chief or Crimson Lentils*—7 lb. 8 oz. / 15 cups

Canned diced tomatoes, drained—10 lb. / 1-1/2 (#10) cans

Canned diced chilies—1 lb. 4 oz. / 5 cups

Sliced black olives—1 lb. / 4 cups

Chopped cilantro—2 oz. / 1-1/4 cups

Ground cumin—1/3 cup

Crushed red pepper flakes—2 tablespoons

Salt—1 tablespoon

Shredded Monterey Jack cheese—1 lb. 8 oz. / 6 cups

Tortilla chips—As needed

Method

In steam-jacketed kettle or stockpot, cook onions and garlic in broth over medium heat until onion is tender, about 5 minutes.

Pea-Stuffed Peppers

6 medium green peppers

1 cup cooked yellow split peas

1/2 lbs. hamburger

1 package of dry onion soup

1 beaten egg

2 cans tomato-cheese sauce

Remove tops and membranes from peppers. Pre-cook In salted water for 5 minutes. Remove from water and place in glass baking dish, open side up. Combine soup mix with hamburger and brown in cooking oil. Remove from heat and add the peas, egg, and one can of the sauce. Mix. Stuff peppers and top with the other can of sauce. Bake for 45 minutes in 350 degree oven.